ABSTRACT
The genus Cleome belongs to the Capparidaceae, the subfamily Cleomoideae being related to the Cruciferae. Unlike most of the Capparidaceae, the genus consists of herbaceous plants. Since the natural habitat of Cleome species is often in arid zones under adverse soil conditions, they can be used to decorate such difficult places as steep roadside banks and abandoned mine spoils. Because Cleome species flower under the LD summer conditions of the temperate zones in spite of their (sub)tropical origin, they were suggested to be DN plants. In young flower buds, the stage of diakinesis of pollen mother cells is highly suitable for the determination of chromosome numbers. During normal anther development the tapetum is completely absorbed in situ by the time the pollen grains are binucleate. In some anthers of C. tenella L., however, the tapetal cells become hypertrophic by extensive vacuolation.
